Writing Cluster 3: Research to Build and Present Writing
W.6-8.7. Conduct short research projects to answer a question, drawing on several sources and refocusing the inquiry when appropriate.
W.6-8.8. Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources; assess the credibility of each source; and quote or paraphrase the data and conclusions of others while avoiding plagiarism and providing basic bibliographic information for sources.
W.6-8.9. Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
* Apply grade 6-8 Reading standards to literature (e.g., “Compare and contrast texts in different forms or genres [e.g., stories and poems; historical novels and fantasy stories] in terms of their approaches to similar themes and topics”).
* Apply grade 6-8 Reading standards to literary nonfiction (e.g., “Trace and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, distinguishing claims that are supported by reasons and evidence from claims that are not”).
strategy (Allen, 2000) 1. Initially, choose three resources (these may be excerpts!) for your students to read about a given topic. (As students become more comfortable and proficient as consumers of information, they may be able to choose and use their own sources.) 2. Distribute the attached worksheet to your students. The first column should be filled in as/after students read the first source. The second column is for the second source, and the third column is for the third source. 3. In small group or large group discussions, allow students to review their reading and their questions.
Allen, J. (2000). Yellow brick roads: Shared and guided paths to independent reading 4-12. Portland: Stenhouse.
* Apply grade 6-8 Reading standards to literature (e.g., “Compare and contrast texts in different forms or genres [e.g., stories and poems; historical novels and fantasy stories] in terms of their approaches to similar themes and topics”).
* Apply grade 6-8 Reading standards to literary nonfiction (e.g., “Trace and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, distinguishing claims that are supported by reasons and evidence from claims that are not”).
Instructional Strategy:
1. Initially, choose three resources (these may be excerpts!) for your students to read about a given topic. (As students become more comfortable and proficient as consumers of information, they may be able to choose and use their own sources.)
2. Distribute the attached worksheet to your students. The first column should be filled in as/after students read the first source. The second column is for the second source, and the third column is for the third source.
3. In small group or large group discussions, allow students to review their reading and their questions.
Allen, J. (2000). Yellow brick roads: Shared and guided paths to independent reading 4-12. Portland: Stenhouse.